Ukrainian Forces Hit Moscow's Fuel Plant Using British Storm Shadow Missiles.

In a significant military action, Kyiv's forces reportedly used long-range Storm Shadow missiles to target and hit a key Russian oil processing facility. The attack was carried out Thursday, according to the country's military authorities.

Details of the Strike and Military Significance

The targeted facility, the Novoshakhtinsk oil plant, was said to be hit, with "numerous explosions" recorded at the site. This marks another instance where Ukrainian forces has deployed these powerful British-supplied missiles against targets on Russian territory.

Military spokespersons emphasized that the Novoshakhtinsk plant acts as one of the primary providers of petrol products in Russia's south and is actively engaged in providing for the armed forces of the Russian Federation.

Diplomatic Developments on the Conflict

Separately, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Thursday that he held “very good” talks with envoys of former US President Donald Trump, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. These talks centered on possible ways to bring the conflict to a close.

“It was a very productive conversation: numerous specifics, good ideas, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy stated on a social media platform. “There are some fresh concepts on how to move toward a genuine peace closer, and it involves approaches, meetings, and, certainly, the timeline.”

Judicial Proceedings Within Russia

Meanwhile, in a domestic matter, a court in Russia has found guilty a pro-war activist and critic of Vladimir Putin on charges of justifying terrorism. Sergei Udaltsov, leader of the opposition movement, was given to six years in a penal colony.

This case are said to be based on an online post Udaltsov shared in support of another group of activists accused of forming a terrorist group. Udaltsov has denied the allegations as fabricated and, after the sentencing, reportedly announced to go on a hunger strike in protest.

Foreign Prisoner Situation

Russian authorities has stated it is in contact with French authorities regarding the fate of Laurent Vinatier, a French political scholar serving a three-year sentence in Russia and allegedly facing additional accusations of espionage.

A spokesperson said that Russia has made an offer to France regarding Vinatier, and now “the ball is in France’s court.” French President Emmanuel Macron’s office confirmed he is closely following the situation, with all government services mobilised to offer assistance and advocate for his liberation as soon as possible.

Controversial Reopening in Mariupol

A theatre in Mariupol, which was leveled in a devastating bombardment while many civilians were sheltering in its basement, is scheduled to reopen. Russian occupation authorities have heralded the reconstruction as a symbol of recovery.

However, former actors from the theatre have called the reopening as “dancing on bones.” This project is part of a broader Moscow effort to present its administration in occupied Ukraine, a process that includes the detention or expulsion of critics and property seizures from Ukrainian citizens.

It is due to reopen by the month's end with a performance of a classic Russian story, having been rebuilt largely anew over the last 24 months.